No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeTopicsLatin AmericaPanama Floods Claim 11 Lives as Government Declares State of Emergency

Panama Floods Claim 11 Lives as Government Declares State of Emergency

Eleven people have died in Panama due to storms that, over the last twelve days, have caused over 100 million dollars in losses from flooding and infrastructure collapse, the Panamanian government reported on Thursday. “Eleven Panamanians have lost their lives in this situation, more than 1,000 families have been directly affected, and the number continues to rise,” said the Minister of the Presidency, Juan Carlos Orillac, during a press conference.

The situation has led the government to declare a state of emergency across the country “as a consequence of the severe damage caused” by the rains, Orillac added. The most affected areas are the western provinces of Chiriquí, bordering Costa Rica, Veraguas, and the indigenous Ngäbe Buglé comarca, where the government has declared a red alert.

Hours earlier, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino confirmed that during Tuesday’s cabinet meeting, losses were estimated at “100 million dollars,” but now “it should be more with the damages that occurred yesterday (Wednesday) in important roads across the country.”

Last year, Panama experienced a drought that led to reduced traffic in the Panama Canal, which operates with freshwater. However, the situation began to normalize this year with the rainy season, which has been abundant since May. The heavy rains have caused rivers to overflow, damaged more than 600 homes, triggered landslides, collapsed some roads, destroyed crops, especially rice, and affected water treatment plants.

“Based on the reports I have received, the damage is significant,” stated Mulino. David Airport, located in Chiriquí, has been temporarily closed. According to Mulino, the Inter-American Highway also “suffered a major blow.”

“In 12 days, we have surpassed (in rainfall) what usually happens in a typical November,” said the director of the Meteorological and Hydrological Institute, Luz Graciela de Calzadilla. The National Civil Protection System has warned of a significant increase in rainfall and thunderstorms across the country in the next three days.

Trending Now

Emmy-winning Salvadoran Journalist Deported from US

Salvadoran journalist Mario Guevara said Friday he was deported from the United States for reporting on the unjust arrests of migrants under President Donald...

Heavy Rains in Costa Rica Trigger Landslides and Floods

Costa Rica faces tough conditions lately from ongoing heavy rains that have sparked deadly landslides and major flooding over the last few days. In...

Costa Rica Nominates Rebeca Grynspan for UN Secretary-General Role

Costa Rica has put forward Rebeca Grynspan as its candidate for United Nations secretary-general, a move that highlights the nation's push for stronger Latin...

Costa Rica Ranger Trapped After Falling off Cliff on Cocos Island

Rescue teams in Costa Rica continue their efforts to save a park ranger who fell down a 40-meter cliff on Isla del Coco. The...

Costa Rica Court Orders Urgent Regulation of Tuna Fishing Law

Costa Rica's Constitutional Court has stepped in to push the government on a long-delayed tuna fishing law. The court partially backed an appeal from...

Costa Rica Proposes Date for Chaves Immunity Review

Costa Rica's lawmakers took a step forward today in addressing the latest push to strip President Rodrigo Chaves of his legal protections. The Legislative...
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica